A story on CNN got my attention today. Atheist Michael Newdow has filed suit to remove the phrase “So Help me God” from the presidential inauguration. He is also opposed to a Christian performing the invocation. Not very “Tolerant” now is it.

Newdow said references to God during inauguration ceremonies violate the constitution’s ban on the establishment of religion.

What I don’t understand is the fact that, by definition, atheist groups deny the existence of God yet serve their own non God Atheism. I will explain more later in this post.

First off to me atheism is a bit of an oxymoron. To deny the existence of God one would need to consider the possibility that God exists. That very act I feel denies atheism. One would then need to examine the evidence for the existence of God and against to come to the informed conclusion that God does not exist.

To outright deny the existence of God would in essence show itself to be an uninformed narrow minded decision. Anyway I have it on good authority that God does not believe in atheists.

Secondly, religion is defined by dictionary.com as a body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices.

Therefore by definition an atheist belongs to the religion of atheism. By demanding the removal of In God We Trust or so help me God from the constitution, currency or from the inauguration on the basis that it is discriminatory towards atheism is, in essence, elevating one religious belief above that of another and as such is against the constitution.

The establishment clause in the constitution has generally been interpreted to prohibit the establishment of a national religion by Congress, or the preference of one religion over another, or the support of a religious idea with no identifiable secular purpose.

Lets look at some word definitions. These were found at dictionary dot com.

God is defined as;
1. A person or thing deified and honored as the chief good;
2. An object of supreme regard. One that is worshiped, idealized, or followed
3. To regard or treat as a god; deify; idolize

To idolize is defined as;
1. to regard with blind adoration, devotion, etc.
2. To worship as a god.

To Worship can be defined as the object of adoring reverence or regard.

Looking at the above definitions it could be said that atheism (a set of beliefs and paradigms honored and given high regard to) is it’s own God being idolized and worshiped by atheists.

As such the secular view of in God we trust does not violate those beliefs rather is inclusive of those beliefs. An atheist trusting in the god of Atheism is not discriminated against in the use of the term in God We Trust.

Reality Check: I am a follower of Jesus and I respect the fact that people may not have encountered Jesus yet. Jesus is not a religion. He is a person, the very son of God. I worship, adore and follow the Son of God. Jesus is not intimidated by the other so called god’s. There will come a day where every knee will bow and confess that he is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is almighty and powerful and fully able to reveal himself to those who are earnestly seeking to find the truth.

I choose to be in relationship with him, to be loved by him, to be led by him and to obedient out of love not religious duty.

It is an awesome adventure that will cost you everything but you get so much more in return.

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13 comments so far

I agree that Atheism is by definition a religion. Therefore, these lawsuits against Christianity should have the same merits against Atheism. The Constitution does protect us from our government establishing a National religion. It does not mean we can not worship or have to worship in hiding. It simply means we are not forced to worship in the manner decided by government. It does not prohibit embracing/celebrating the different cultures and beliefs of our citizens. Great post!

Wayne, great words and a great post. As a great nation we have a foundation that was not only in the hearts of our founders but written with the pen of our founders. “In God We Trust”

We are a great nation of opportunity to any who take on the ‘Pursuit of Happiness’. Each of us have a foundation of which we draw our strength. Our nation has a foundation in God of which it draws it’s strength.

Nice post, Wayne. What a mess we are in if the smallest minority views define the laws of the land.

From what I have studied, this country’s founders were very much interested in God, and freedom of religion. It’s totally inappropriate to mandate that there be no mention of God or Jesus….man, this country is in trouble, if this takes hold!

Well thought-out post. This is America and we are all free to believe in what we want to believe in as long as are actions do not hurt others. So Mr Newdow cannot believe in a God of any form. That is his right. What I find curious is that extremists of any cause or belief – Mr Newdow’s belief, as you so elequently point out, is one of no supreme being – go to such lengths to prove their point and attempt to not allow others to have their beliefs.

I wonder what name athiests give to the One who created this entire universe? God seems to be a universal name, English word, for the One that people from other nations/languages call by different names according to their language. I believe those who believe in God, no matter what name they use, all mean the same One. Am I making sense? In otherwords, There is only One God no matter what name is used to describe God.

I think that everyone that has read this post agrees with the whole premise. We do have to be on constant guard against people trying to take away all the freedoms the Founding Fathers gave us, though. Freedom comes with a price. That price is constant vigilance against those that try to subvert our way of life.
It’s not just Atheists constantly chipping away at our freedom of religion. The liberally incorrect are constantly trying to twist the words of the Constitution to suit their own needs.
We have to constantly be on Guard and take to task, in the way Jesus would, anyone who tries to deny us any of our freedoms, Especially our Freedom to Worship who we wish, the way we wish, any time and anywhere we wish.